Apparatus and method for rotary motion conversion and waste product collection unit

ABSTRACT

A device and method to convert ordinary rotary motion of input frequency Ω into a composite motion with the same primary frequency Ω plus an eccentric motion at a higher frequency ω enables a low speed rotary input to drive a higher-speed eccentric motion. A preferred embodiment enables an existing rotary motion machine ( 7 ) to be easily adapted to provide compound rotary and eccentric motion. Optional attachments are used to collect waste products generated by rotary motion machine ( 7 ).

This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No.09/065,821 filed Apr. 23, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,767.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of rotary-motion sanders,polishers, buffers, carpet cleaners, etc., and specifically to theconversion of rotary motion to eccentric rotary motion without alteringthe number of revolutions per minute (RPM) of the rotary motion and tothe collection of dust, water, and similar waste products generated bythe aforementioned rotary-motion devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional generic orbital sanders, buffers, polishers and carpetcleaners typically drive a sand plate, polishing brush, sand screen pad,carpet brush/sponge at a low speed—typically 175 RPM though sometimes ashigh as 1000 RPM—in a circular path. This action produces circularscratches on the sanded surface or carpet. Other random orbital sandersor carpet cleaners in existence rely on a high-speed motor to drive aneccentric random action. The action of the high-speed motor is reducedto the desired speed (e.g., 175 RPM) through various mechanicalinteractions among the gears, shafts, cams, etc. that comprise thesander/cleaner.

Illustrative of the prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,206 for acompound-motion machine in which an eccentric shaft (19) rotates about amotor shaft (14) to produce an eccentric rotation, and a secondarymotion is produced by a secondary rotation about the axis of theeccentric shaft, using interacting gear wheels (31 and 32). (Column 2,lines 45-57) The eccentric shaft is fixed to, and rotates at the samespeed as, the drive shaft. (Column 2, lines 16-20) The motor needed todrive this device must be a high speed motor on the order of 4000 to6000 RPM (column 2, line 33), which establishes an eccentric rotation atthe motor speed (4000 to 6000 rpm), while the secondary rotation aboutthe eccentric shaft is reduced in speed by virtue of the gear wheelinteraction, to perhaps 300 or 600 rpm depending on the gear ratio andthe motor speed. The net motion is rotation at the lower speed, witheccentric motion at the higher speed, requiring and being driven by ahigh speed motor. There is nothing disclosing or suggesting how thismight be achieved with a low-speed motor, nor is there anythingsuggesting or disclosing how to convert the ordinary circular motion ofan existing machine to such a compound motion, without having to simplyreplace the machine entirely. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,322,921, 4,467,565 andU.S. Pat. No. 4,845,898 all have similar limitations.

In all of this prior art, an eccentric plate sander is driven by ahigh-speed (RPM) motor. The eccentric movement is produced directly bythe high-speed motor. This high-rotation speed produced by the motor isgear reduced by the gear system into a lower speed rotation. The maindrive shaft drives an eccentric drive shaft which in turn drives thegear reduction. This does produce a slow reciprocating action, butrequires a high-speed input motor and does not lend itself to adaptationto a low-speed input motor. Nor does it enable a pre-existing low-speedmachine to be easily adapted to provide high-speed eccentric action.

Additionally, sanding is typically a very messy job, with dust particlespermeating the area being sanded. An inordinate amount of cleanup isrequired following a sanding job, and it is usually advisable to removeas many movable items as possible from the area to be sanded, prior tosanding, so that these will not become permeated with dust. Thisintroduces much extra work which is preferably avoided. For carpetcleaning, water and other cleaning fluids are applied to the carpetbeing cleaned, and the rotary motion (or rotary and eccentric motion) isused to create the desired cleansing action. Here, it is often necessaryto wait for a day or so for the water and cleaning fluids to dry beforeusing the carpet again, which is inconvenient. Additionally, since muchof the dirt being cleaned becomes suspended in the water or cleaningfluid, removal of as much of this water or fluid as possible willsimultaneously remove as much dirt as possible. Allowing water or fluidwith dirt in suspension to simply dry on the carpet does nothing toremove that dirt and results in a cleaning job of much lesser quality.

It would be desirable to have available a means and method for producingeccentric sanding or cleaning motion using a low-speed (e.g., 125 to1000 RPM) input motor in which the speed of rotation of the output isprecisely the same as the input speed, and in which gearincrement—rather than gear reduction—is used to convert the low-speedinput into a higher-speed eccentric movement.

Because many lower-speed input (e.g. 125 to 1000 RPM) sanders andcleaners are already in use in the market, it would further be desirableto provide a modular attachment for such sanders and cleaners whichconverts this lower-speed input into a higher-speed eccentric movementcoupled with a rotation identical in speed to the lower-speed input,with minimum use of space and without major modifications to theoriginal sander or cleaner, thereby avoiding the need to purchase aseparate high-speed input sander or cleaner in order to achieve thismotion and expanding the range of applications that can be performed bya single piece of sanding or cleaning equipment.

It is further desirable to provide a generic method for converting alower-speed input of, for example, 175 RPM, into a rotary motion stilloperating at the example input speed of 175 RPM, but adding eccentricmotion at a higher frequency.

It is further desirable for this method to be applied to other rotatingsanding devices in existence such as floor sanding edgers, millingmachines, and other low speed grinders, as well as hand drill and otherrotary motion devices including carpet cleaners.

It is further desirable to provide a means and method for removing asmuch dust as possible during sanding, so that dust cleanup afterward, aswell as the removal of movable items beforehand, can be avoided.

It is further desirable to provide a means and method for removing asmuch water and cleaning fluid as possible, during carpet cleaning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention uses a low-speed motor input (frequency) to drive alow-speed rotation at the same speed as the motor input, and throughgear increment, to drive a much higher-speed eccentric movement. In theprior art, a high-speed motor input is used to drive a similarhigh-speed eccentric movement, and through gear reduction, a muchlower-speed rotation.

First, a fixed gear housing of the device is fixed to a fixed(non-rotating) component of a rotary motion machine, Second, a driveshaft of the device is affixed to that component of the rotary motionmachine which generates rotary motion of the given input frequency.Through various combinations of gear interactions and secondary(eccentric) motion driving bars, the device adds a higher-frequencyeccentric oscillation to the original rotary motion. The net output is aprimary rotational motion at the original input frequency, and asecondary eccentric oscillation of substantially higher frequency.

Waste products such as sand (from sanding) and water/fluids (from carpetcleaning) are collected by attaching a vacuum outlet through the fixedgear housing of the device and through the fixed (non-rotating)component of the rotary motion machine, aid by adding a plurality ofsuction apertures through the pertinent operating attachment and otherpertinent components of the machine. A vacuum skirt is used to enhancethe suction from the vacuum outlet and to better contain dust and water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth in theappended claims. The invention, however, together with further objectsand advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing(s) in which:

FIG. 1 shows cross-sectional side and bottom-up plan views of the mannerin which a sanding, polishing, buffing, or cleaning disk is ordinarilyattached to the drive clutch of a rotary-motion sanding or cleaningmachine, in the prior art.

FIG. 2 shows cross-sectional side and bottom-up plan views of thepreferred embodiment of the invention, using two moving gears.

FIG. 3 shows the geometric constructions utilized to calculate thegeometric trajectory over time of a particular “grit” of the sanding,buffing, polishing or cleaning attachment in the preferred and alternatepreferred embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom-up plan view of a first alternative preferredembodiment of the invention, using four moving gears.

FIG. 5 shows side and bottom-up plan views of a second alternativepreferred embodiment of the invention, using a driving disk.

FIG. 6 shows a side plan view of a third alternative preferredembodiment of the invention which further increases the eccentric motionfrequency of the invention.

FIG. 7a illustrates a side perspective view of a rotary-motion sandingor cleaning machine, a side plan view of the invention embodiment ofFIG. 2, and the manner in which the invention (all embodiments) isconnected to the sanding or cleaning machine for use.

FIG. 7b is a bottom-up plan view along the lines 7 b—7 b of FIG. 7a, ofthe manner in which the invention (all embodiments) is connected to thesanding or cleaning machine for use.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side perspective view of the rotary-motion sandingor cleaning machine of FIG. 7a, and a side plan view of the inventionembodiment of FIG. 2, as modified with a vacuum attachment for dust(sanding) and water (cleaning) removal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows how a sanding, polishing, buffing or carpet cleaning diskis ordinarily attached to the rotary motion component 102 such as thedrive clutch of a rotary-motion sanding or cleaning machine 7 of FIG. 7,in the prior art. As shown in cross-sectional side view in the upperpart of FIG. 1, conventional rotary sanding or cleaning machines are setup for sanding, buffing, polishing or cleaning by attaching (mating) asanding, buffing, polishing or cleaning disk attachment (henceforthreferred to as operating attachment 101) to input rotary motioncomponent 102 of the sander or cleaner, by inserting input rotary motioncomponent 102 into an attachment receptacle 103 of operating attachment101 as shown by arrow 105. Often, the mating proceeds by first insertinginput rotary motion component 102 into attachment receptacle 103 andthen twisting one relative to the other until they lock together. Thismanner of mating, and its variations, are well known in the art and soneedn't be elaborated herein. Attachment receptacle 103 inserts firmlyaround input rotary motion component 102 as known in the art so thatwhen the sanding or cleaning machine 7 is activated, input rotary motioncomponent 102 will begin to rotate at the input speed (RPM) of thesanding or cleaning machine motor along the direction indicated by(right-hand rule) arrows 104. (Of course, left-hand motion is equallyencompassed.) Thus, by virtue of this mating, the entire operatingattachment 101 will similarly rotate concentrically at this same motorinput speed, as shown from bottom-up view by arrow 108 illustrating theprimary orbital motion direction. Also illustrated is a primaryrotational centerline 106, and operating attachment center 107.

FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention. Note thatthe use of “primes” in the component numbering will be used to denoteanalogous structure and/or function to the prior an structures and/orfunctions as illustrated in FIG. 1. Rotary-motion conversion module 2attaches (mates) to input rotary motion component 102 via a conversionmodule receptacle 103′ which is substantially identical to attachmentreceptacle 103, and which mates to input rotary motion component 102 asshown by arrows 105′ in a manner substantially identical to the matingearlier described in FIG. 1 between input rotary motion component 102and attachment receptacle 103 according to arrows 105. Thus, a shaftdriving disk 101′ which occupies the same position with respect to inputrotary motion component 102 as operating attachment 101 of FIG. 1 willbe caused to rotate according to arrows 104 once the sanding or cleaningmachine 7 is turned on.

Operating attachment 101, on the other hand, attaches (mates) topass-through rotary motion component means 102′ of conversion module 2,which is substantially identical in structure to input rotary motioncomponent 102. Similarly, the method of mating attachment receptacle 103to pass-through rotary motion component 102′ according to arrows 105″ issubstantially identical to the method of mating conversion modulereceptacle 103′ to input rotary motion component 102 according to arrows105′, and to the prior art method of mating attachment receptacle 103 toinput rotary motion component 102 according to arrows 105 as in FIG. 1.Because a variety of such mating methods are known in the prior art,this disclosure and its associated claims are intended to fullyencompass this variety of mating methods as used within the scope ofthis invention, and is not dependent on any one or another of thesemating methods. However, while shaft driving disk 101′ rotatesconcentrically about primary centerline 106 at the input frequency (RPM)of the sanding device motor, operating attachment 101 does not followthis same concentric rotation. Rather, due to the motion-conversionmechanism to be described below, operating attachment 101 no longerexhibits concentric rotation. Instead, its primary rotation is at thesame speed at the input motor, but a secondary, higher-speed eccentricmotion is also introduced.

To convert the concentric rotary input motion 104 to an eccentric rotaryoutput motion, shaft driving disk 101′ is integrally affixed to a driveshaft 201 which runs substantially through the center of a fixed gearhousing 202 and substantially through the center of a non-rotatingcenter gear 203 immovably affixed to fixed gear housing 202. The regionabove fixed gear housing 202 and center gear 203 in FIG. 2 will begenerally referred to as the “input region” of the housing; while theregion below housing 202 and center gear 203 will be referred to as the“output region” of the housing. Drive shaft 201 at its lower extremity(in the output region) is further integrally affixed to a lateraldriving, connector 204 as shown. In this illustration, lateral drivingconnector 204 is a driving bar extending laterally within fixed gearhousing 202 as shown, though other embodiments for lateral drivingconnector 204 are also possible, as will be shown later. Drive shaft 201rotates within fixed gear housing 202 and non-rotating center gear 203,with bearings and/or appropriate lubricants provided at the surfacesindicated by thicker drawing lines, to facilitate that rotation.

Fixed gear housing 202, importantly, is fixed so that it does not in anyway rotate in response to the rotation of input rotary motion component102. This is achieved by means of a housing fixing device 205 which inthe preferred embodiment is an attachment arm as shown. This arm isfixed to the bell of the sanding or cleaning machine 7 as shown andlater described in more detail in FIGS. 7a and 7 b, so as to preventfixed gear housing 202 from rotating, i.e., to render fixed gear housing202 independent of the rotation of input rotary motion component 102.For other applications, e.g., to convey the rotary motion of a drillinto an eccentric rotary motion, the housing fixing device might affixthe housing, e.g., to the drill handle. While implementation may thusvary for different applications and devices, the key point is that fixedgear housing 202 is prevented from rotating by affixing it to anon-rotating component of the machine 7 providing the rotary inputmotion. Non-rotating center gear 203 similarly does not rotate becauseit is integrally affixed to fixed gear housing 202. Thus, the rotationof input rotary motion component 102 at a given RPM causes shaft drivingdisk 101′, drive shaft 201 and lateral driving connector 204 to rotateat the same RPM as the input drive, while non-rotating center gear 203remains fixed with respect to this rotation.

To add eccentric motion, the teeth of a pair of rotating outer gears 206engage the teeth of non-rotating inner gear 203 as shown. Secondarydrive shaft means 207 are integrally affixed to rotating outer gears 206as shown, so as to rotate with the same frequency as outer gears 206.Secondary drive shafts 207 also pass through and are free to rotate withrespect to lateral driving connector 204, with bearings and/orappropriate lubrication provided at the region again illustrated by thethicker lines to facilitate free rotation. Eccentric motion driving barmeans 208 are integrally affixed to secondary drive shafts 207, and soalso rotate at the same frequency as outer gears 206. Finally, a pair ofeccentric motion drive shafts 209 are integrally affixed to secondarydriving bars 208, again, so as to also rotate with the same frequency asouter gears 206. The combined means comprising components 206, 207, 208and 209, which is responsible for introducing the eccentric motion intothe system, shall be generally referred to as “eccentric motiongenerating means.”

Eccentric motion drive shafts 209, are in turn tapped into a compositemotion pass-through means 210 such as the illustrated disk, allowingfree rotational movement of eccentric motion drive shafts 209 withincomposite motion pass-through means 210, again, with bearings and/orappropriate lubrication at the region illustrated with thicker lines.Pass-through rotary motion component 102′ is affixed proximate thecenter of composite motion pass-through means 210, and so when operatingattachment 101 is finally attached to pass-through rotary motioncomponent 102′ via rotary motion receptacle 103 as per arrows 105″, asdescribed earlier, the motion imparted to operating attachment 101 willbe that of composite motion pass-through means 210 and pass-throughrotary motion component 102′, rather that of input rotary motioncomponent 102.

The eccentric motion is introduced, in particular, by eccentric motiondriving bar means 208, and generally by the eccentric motion generatingmeans comprising components 206, 207, 208 and 209. The magnitude of theeccentric motion is directly proportional to the displacements 211between the center of secondary drive shafts 207 and the center ofeccentric motion drive shafts 209. By virtue of the connections outlinedabove, the rotation 104 of input rotary motion component 102 is imparteddirectly to lateral driving connector 204 via drive shaft 201 and shaftdriving disk 101′. The rotation of lateral driving connector 204 causessecondary drive shafts 207 to rotate (orbit) concentrically aboutprimary centerline 106 along arrow 108, while the interaction betweenrotating outer gears 206 and non-rotating center gear 203 further causesrotating outer gears 206 to rotate (spin) about secondary rotationalcenterlines 212 along the path illustrated by (right-hand-rule) arrows213. From the bottom-up view, the rotation of outer gears 206 aboutsecondary rotational centerlines 212 is as shown by arrows 214. Thisrotation (spin) of outer gears 206 is further imparted to secondarydriving bars 208 and, via eccentric motion drive shafts 209, ultimatelyto composite motion pass-through means 210, pass-through rotary motioncomponent 102′, and operating attachment 101.

In particular, composite motion pass-through means 210, pass-throughrotary motion component 102′, and operating attachment 101 are imparteda net composite motion that captures both the orbit of rotating outergears 206 about primary centerline 106 (primary orbital motion 108), andthe spin of outer gears 206 about secondary rotational centerlines 212in combination with the eccentric displacements 211 introduced byeccentric motion driving bars 208 (secondary eccentric motion 214). Notethat it is the boring of drive shaft 201 directly through the fixed gearhousing 202 and center gear 203 and its rotation herein that serves toimpart to operating attachment 101 a primary orbital motion 108 that isidentical in speed (RPM) to input motion 104.

If the input frequency (RPM) 104 of the motor is designated by Ω (e.g.175 RPM for a typical low-speed sander), then the primary orbital motionwill be at precisely this same frequency Ω because of the manner inwhich drive shaft 201 passes straight through the center of center gear203 and causes outer gears 206 to orbit about center gear 203. If thenumber of teeth upon center gear 203 is designated generally by N (N=61in FIG. 2), and upon outer gear by n (n=30 in FIG. 2), then thefrequency ω of the secondary eccentric motion will be stepped up by theratio N/n, i.e.,

 ω=(N/n)×Ω.  (1)

with both rotations (214 and 108) occurring in the same direction. Thus,in the illustration of FIG. 2 (by way of example, not limitation), ifΩ=175 RPM clockwise, then ω=61/30×175 RPM≈356 RPM clockwise. Circularpath 213 is thus illustrated with two arrows, while path 104 isillustrated with but a single arrow, to denote this step up in frequency(i.e., that 213 is a higher-frequency rotation that 104). For a onegear-interaction system such as that of FIG. 2, the step up in theeccentric frequency over the primary frequency is thus determinedgenerally by the gear ratio N/n, though this step up can be furtherenhanced through multiple gear interactions, as will be laterillustrated in connection with FIG. 6.

To maximize sanding, polishing or buffing variation, it is alsodesirable to choose the number of teeth on each gear so as to introducethe longest possible time (maximum number of cycles) before a particular“grit” upon operating attachment 101 returns to the same radial andangular location (position). In FIG. 2, starting at a given initialposition, it requires n=30 revolutions of outer gears 206 about centergear 203, and, simultaneously, N=61 rotations of outer gears 206 aboutsecondary rotational centerlines 212, before a particular grit returnsto its original position. Had N been chosen to be 60, rather than 61,then because 60 is evenly divisible by 30, a given grit would return toprecisely the same position with every revolution of outer gears 206about center gear 203, which is not desirable. Generally, gear ratiosshould thus be chosen so as to avoid common divisible factors. The useof prime number gear counts is helpful in this regard, as this bydefinition avoids common (indeed any) divisible factors.

Also, it is possible, alternatively, to replace center gear 203 (whichhas teeth facing radially-outward) with a gear having teeth facingradially inward, running to the outside of outer gears 206, and engagingthe teeth of outer gears 206 along the dotted gear line indicated by215. In this configuration, outer gears 206 would then spin aboutsecondary centerlines 212 in a direction opposite their revolution aboutprimary centerline 106. That is, 214 would run opposite 108. Thisnaturally introduces a higher gear gain ratio (N/n), because of thelarger circumference of gear 215 compared to gear 203.

FIG. 3 depicts an arbitrarily-selected position of operating attachment101 during operation. Point P is a randomly-selected grit on operatingattachment 101, R designates the radial distance of point P from thecenter 107 of operating attachment 101, and θ designates the angularorientation of point P with respect to operating attachment center 107.Recalling that the mechanism of FIG. 2 causes lateral driving connector204 and hence secondary drive shafts 207 to rotate about the center ofdrive shaft 201 at the input frequency Ω, it is apparent that thegeometric (not physical) point labeled as “constant Ω” in FIG.3—constructed at the denoted distance r and angle φ with respect to P,is a point that rotates about the center of motion of drive shaft 201,at a constant frequency and speed given by input frequency Ω. Bygeometric construction, this point of constant Ω is oriented at the sameangle θ with respect to the center of drive shaft 201 as point P isoriented with respect to operating attachment center 107. Thus, point Pmoves about the center 107 of operating attachment 101, and the pointlabeled constant Ω also moves about the center of drive shaft 201, overtime t, at the constant input frequency Ω, with an angular orientationover time t given by:

θ(t)=2πΩt.  (2)

Similarly, if φ designates the angular orientation of secondary drivingbars 208 as shown, it is to be recalled that this orientation will alsomove with constant angular frequency ω as given eq. 1, that is:

φ(t)=2πωt=2πGΩt=2π(N/n)Ωt.  (3)

where G=N/n is the gear gain ratio. Finally, r is used to designate theeccentric displacements 211 (see also FIG. 2) introduced by eccentricmotion driving bar means 208.

With all of the above, one can readily calculate the (x,y) coordinatesof point P with respect to the origin of rotation at the center of driveshaft 201 to be:

 P(x,y)=P(R cosθ+r cosφ, R sinθ+r sinφ)  (4)

Thus, if R′ designates the radial distance, and θ′ designates theangular orientation, of point P with respect to the center of driveshaft 201, i.e., primary centerline 104 (rather than operatingattachment center point 107), one can readily calculate that:

R′=sqrt[R ² +r ²+2Rr cos(θ−φ)]  (5)

and $\begin{matrix}{{\sin \quad {\theta^{\prime}(t)}} = {\frac{\left( {{R\quad \sin \quad \theta} + {r\quad \sin \quad \varphi}} \right)}{{sqrt}\left\lbrack {R^{2} + r^{2} + {2{Rr}\quad {\cos \left( {\theta - \varphi} \right)}}} \right\rbrack}.}} & (6)\end{matrix}$

To express these over time rather than in terms of angles, one merelysubstitutes eqs, (2) and (3) into eqs, (5) and (6) above, to yield:

R′(t)=sqrt[R ² +r ²+2Rr cos(2π(G−1)Ωt)]  (7)

and $\begin{matrix}{{\sin \quad {\theta^{\prime}(t)}} = {\frac{\left( {{R\quad \sin \quad 2\quad {\pi\Omega}\quad t} + {r\quad \sin \quad 2\pi \quad G\quad \Omega \quad t}} \right)}{{sqrt}\left\lbrack {R^{2} + r^{2} + {2{Rr}\quad {\cos \left( {2\quad {\pi \left( {G - 1} \right)}\Omega \quad t} \right)}}} \right\rbrack}.}} & (8)\end{matrix}$

In contrast, for the prior art configuration of FIG. 1 (which is thelimiting case in which r=0 in eqs. 7 and 8 above), R′(t)=R (constantradius), and θ′(t)=2πΩt (constant frequency).

FIG. 4 shows a bottom-up plan view of a first alternative preferredembodiment of the invention. This embodiment is substantially the sameas the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, however, lateral drivingconnector 204 is now a driving “cross” as shown, attaching twoadditional rotating outer gears 206 with all other pertinent elements(e.g., 207, 208, 209) as shown, in the same manner as earlier discussedin connection with FIG. 2. Thus, while FIG. 2 illustrates a two-movinggear system. FIG. 4 illustrates a four-moving gear system. The use offour gears, rather than two, may provide a preferred weight balance forsome applications. It should be apparent by contrasting FIG. 4 with FIG.2 that the number of moving gears can readily be varied, and that theinvention can be constructed even with but a single moving gear ifneeded, simply by altering, the configuration of lateral drivingconnector 204. Thus, e.g., for a three-moving, gear system, lateraldriving connector 204 could have “triangular” arms each emanating aboutdrive shaft 201 at substantially 120 degrees from one another. For fivegears, an angle of substantially 72 degrees could separate the arms andthe moving gear, etc. Any such variations in the number of moving gearswould fall within the scope of this disclosure and its associatedclaims. Available physical space is the only limiting factor in choosingthe number of moving ears. The motion of the device is still calculatedaccording to eqs. 7 and 8, is unaffected by the number of moving ears,and depends only upon gear gain ratio G, eccentric displacement r, andinput frequency Ω.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second alternative preferred embodiment of theinvention which is somewhat similar to FIG. 4, insofar as it is also afour-moving gear system. However, in this embodiment, lateral drivingconnector 204 is now a driving “disk” as shown, wherein secondary driveshafts 207 of rotating outer gears 206 pass through this drivingdisk-type lateral driving connector 204 at substantially 90 degrees fromone another similarly to FIG. 4. (Again, one can use a different numberof outer gears 206 within the scope of this disclosure and itsassociated claims.) Additionally, shaft driving disk 101′ and driveshaft 201 are combined into a single indistinguishable component,wherein drive shaft 201 is substantially widened in relation to itswidth in FIG. 2, and affixes to lateral driving connector 204 along amuch larger contact region as shown. The bore through the center of anon-rotating center gear 203 thus has a much larger radius toaccommodate the wider shaft 201. Thicker, dashed lines continue toindicate regions where rotational bearings and/or sufficient lubricationis required to facilitate rotation.

In heavy use, the region where drive shaft 201 affixes to lateraldriving connector 204 undergoes perhaps the highest degree of physicaltorque-related stress. In the configuration of FIG. 5, because driveshaft 201 affixes to lateral driving connector 204 along a much largerregion, the chance that drive shaft 201 might break off from lateraldriving connector 204 under a high-torque stress is greatly reduced. Inaddition, given the manner in which this overall rotary-motionconversion module 2 attaches to a sanding machine 7 (see FIG. 7), it isdesirable to minimize the vertical height of module 2 as much aspossible. The configuration of FIG. 5 helps to further achieve as “flat”a module 2 as possible.

It was noted in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3 (see also eqs. 1 and 3)that the eccentric motion frequency ω is stepped up by a factor of geargain ratio G with respect to the input motor frequency Ω, i.e., thatω=G×Ω. In a configuration such as that shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, with asingle set of rotating outer gears 206 (regardless of how many gearscomprise this set), then if N=N(203) is the number of teeth innon-rotating center gear 203, and n=N(206) is the number of teeth ineach of the rotating outer gears 206 engaging center gear 203, then, asnoted earlier, gear gain ratio G=N/n=N(203)/N(206). The motion of asingle grit is then parameterized in terms of time t, using ratio G, byeqs. 7 and 8. In many cases, the gain ratio G achieved through theconfiguration of FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 is perfectly acceptable. However, ifit is desired to greatly magnify the input frequency Ω into a very higheccentric motion frequency ω (for example, by a ratio of 10 to 1 ormore), then a configuration such as that shown in FIG. 6, or somethingsimilar thereto that can be deduced by someone of ordinary skill in themechanical arts, can be used to achieve this.

FIG. 6 is illustrated based on the two outer gear, driving barembodiment of FIG. 2. However, it would be obvious to someone ofordinary skill and is within the scope of this disclosure and itsassociated claims to apply the disclosure of FIG. 6 to work inconnection with the four-gear embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 as well, orwith obvious variations of the embodiments in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 (e.g.,one, three, five and six gear systems, etc.), subject only to physicalspace limitations.

FIG. 6 has all of the same elements and interactions as FIG. 2, and isdriven and connected to the sanding machine 7 of FIG. 7 in precisely thesame way. However, within the eccentric motion generating means,rotating outer gears 206 are replaced by stacked outer gears 206′ and206″, and drive shaft 201 drives a lateral driving connector 204 withtwo parallel, vertically separated, laterally extending bars. If onestarted with FIG. 4 or 5 rather than FIG. 2, then lateral drivingconnector 204 would utilized parallel “crosses” (FIG. 4) or parallel“disks” instead. While FIG. 6 illustrates a two-layer stacking, this canbe generalized by someone of ordinary skill to multiple layers asdesired, or to other gear-increment configurations known in the art,subject only to space limitations.

When input rotary motion component 102 rotates drive shaft 201 asearlier described, the upper driving connector of 204 rotates upperouter gears 206′ in precisely the same way that outer gears 206 arerotated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, with a stepped-up frequency ω given byeq. 1. However, secondary drive shafts 207, secondary driving bars 208(which introduce the eccentric motion radius r (211) of eqs. 1-8) andeccentric motion drive shafts 209 are now affixed to lower outer gears206″, rather than outer gears 206 as in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5.Newly-introduced are first step-up gears 601, second step-up gears 602,and third step-up gears 603 (one for each outer gear pair 206′ and206″), which further multiply the rotational frequency imparted tosecondary drive shafts 207, eccentric motion driving bars 208 and,particularly, eccentric motion drive shafts 209, as follows.

First step up gears 601 are immovably affixed to upper outer gears 206′via first step-up gear connectors 604 which run through the upperdriving connector of 204 just as secondary drive shafts 207 runs throughdriving connector 204 in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5. (Tick, dotted lines againindicate rotational regions where bearings and/or sufficient lubricationare required.) Thus, first step up gears 601 will be imparted the samefrequency of rotation as upper outer gears 206′. The direction ofrotation (based on primary input rotation 104) is illustrated by thearrows, and the presence of two arrows on each of 206′ and 601 indicatesthat these each rotate at the same frequency, but that this frequency isalready stepped up from the input frequency θ indicated by the singlearrow on 104. However, first step up gears 601 have a larger radius—andmore importantly, more teeth—than upper outer gears 206′. The teeth offirst step up gears 601 then engage teeth of second step-up gears 602,which have a smaller radius—and more importantly, less teeth—than firststep up gears 601. Thus, second step-up gears 602 rotate at an evenhigher frequency (with opposite direction) than first step up gears 601,as illustrated by three arrows rather than two. Second step-up gears 602are in turn attached directly to third step-up gears 603 with largerradius and more teeth, which by virtue of this attachment will rotate atthe same frequency and in the same direction as second step-up gears602. The combined element comprising 602 and 603 is fixed in place byupper step up attachments 605 and lower step up attachments 606, whichrespectively bore into and rotate freely within the upper and lower arms(or crosses for FIG. 4 and plates for FIG. 5) of driving connector 204,as shown.

Finally, the teeth of third step-up gears 603 directly engage the teethof lower outer gears 206″, which have a smaller radius and less teeththan third step-up gears 603. Thus, lower outer gears 206″ will rotateat an even higher frequency (and reverse direction) than third step-upgears 603, as now illustrated by four arrows. Lower outer Years 206″, ofcourse, drive secondary drive shafts 207, eccentric motion driving bars208 and eccentric motion drive shafts 209, and thus, the frequency ofeccentric rotation 213 (also now showing four arrows) is the same asthat of lower outer gears 206″. Note that lower outer gears 206″ areconnected on top into a bore on the lower portion of first step up gears601, via lower outer gear attachments 607 that rotate freely within thisbore. On the bottom, lower outer gears 206″ are connected through thelower arms (or crosses for FIG. 4 and plates for FIG. 5) of drivingconnector 204 with secondary drive shafts 207 just as in FIGS. 2, 4 and5. The connections achieved by components 604, 605, 606, 607 and 207ensure that the primary rotational frequency Ω (104) is preserved andpassed through to operating attachment 101. The free rotation permittedby these same components, however, further enables the secondary(eccentric) frequency 213 to be vastly stepped up.

In particular, if N(203), N(206′), N(601), N(602), N(603) and N(206″)denote the number of teeth for the particular ears associated with theparenthetical numbers, then the step up gear ratio G, which wasG=N/n=N(203)/N(206) for FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, is, for FIG. 6, now given by:

G=[N(203)/N(206′)]×[N(601)/N(602)]×[N(603)/N(206″)]  (9)

Thus, even with an approximate 2 to 1 ratio for each gear interaction,the eccentric frequency can be stepped up by a factor of 2³=8, and witha 3 to 1 ratio, this provides a factor of 27 to 1. Generally, with a G′to 1 ratio for each gear interaction, G=G′³. The overall motion of agiven “grit”, however, is unchanged from that of eqs. 1-8, all thatchanges is the gear gain ratio G. Thus, the motion of a grit onoperating attachment 101 in FIG. 6 is described simply by substitutingeq. 9 for G into eqs. 1-8 as appropriate.

FIG. 7 illustrates how rotary-motion conversion module 2 from any andall of FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 6 attaches to sanding, carpet cleaning, orsimilar machine 7. For illustration, not limitation, module 2 of FIG. 2is used in FIG. 7. FIG. 7a depicts a conventional sanding or cleaningmachine 7 with a bell 71 and a user control shaft 72. Illustrated withhidden lines within the sander or cleaner 7 is input rotary motioncomponent 102 which was earlier illustrated at the top of each FIGS. 1,2, 5 and 6. Rotary motion component 102 rotates in direction 104 atinput frequency Ω as has been discussed all along, and is driven by asander motor (not shown) in a manner well known in the art.

To modify a preexisting sanding or cleaning machine 7 of input frequencyΩ to accept rotary-motion conversion module 2, one first affixes ahousing fixing device receptacle means 73 directly to the bell 71 asshown in both FIGS. 7. Receptacle means 73 can be screwed into the bell,welded thereon, or attached (permanently or removably) in any other waythat is known in the attachment arts. What is important, however, isthat this attachment be very secure, and that it not come loose whensubjected to the shear stresses that are introduced once conversionmodule 2 is attached to sanding machine 7 and operated.

Next, one inserts and locks (105′) shaft driving disk 101′ into inputrotary motion component 102 via attachment receptacle 103′, as firstdescribed in connection with FIG. 2, and later in connection with FIGS.4, 5 and 6. At the same time, one locks housing fixing device 205 intohousing fixing device receptacle means 73 as illustrated by arrow 74 inFIG. 7a, and as shown from bottom view in FIG. 7b. While housing fixingdevice 205 is illustrated herein as an attachment arm and housing fixingdevice receptacle means 73 is illustrated as a “U” to which housingfixing device 205 mates, any configuration is acceptable so long asthese two components mate securely to one another without danger ofbecoming disconnected during operation, so that the fixed gear housing202 does not rotate during operation. Finally, one chooses operatingattachment 101 and attaches (105″) it to pass-through rotary motioncomponent 102′ via rotary motion receptacle 103, as first discussed inconnection with FIG. 2 and also later discussed for FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. Atthis point, conversion module 2 is fully ready for operation.

Because housing fixing device 205 is locked into housing fixing devicereceptacle means 73, fixed gear housing 202 and non-rotating center gear203 which are integrally attached thereto are prevented from moving in arotational direction. This enables the outer gears 206 (or 206′ plusassorted step up gears from FIG. 6) to engage center gear 203 andproduce the input frequency rotational motion with higher frequencyeccentric oscillation described throughout this disclosure, andquantified by eqs. 7 and 8.

The various configurations described above can be used generally toconvert a rotary motion input of given frequency Ω with no eccentricity,into rotary motion of the similar primary frequency Ω, compounded witheccentric motion at a stepped-up frequency ω=GΩ, and described in detailby eqs. 7 and 8. This is true whether the subject invention is embodiedas a module to be attached to a preexisting rotary motion machine (aspresented in detail herein), or is embodied directly, non-removably,within a given machine as a way of generating high-frequency eccentricoscillations from a lower-frequency input rotation motor. Eitheralternative is encompassed by this disclosure and its associated claims.Of course, stepped-down eccentric motion can also be achieved ifdesired, by appropriate alteration of gear ratios.

While this discussion has referred generally to a sanding or cleaningmachine 7 as the device to which this invention is applied, it isunderstood that this invention can be used in connection with any rotarymotion machine for which it is desired to introduce a (higher-frequency)eccentric oscillation. In all cases, what is needed are simply twopoints of contact with that machine. First, the fixed gear housing 202must be fixed to some fixed (non-rotating) component of the machine viaa housing fixing means that serves the function of component 205.Second, the drive shaft 201 must be affixed to (driven by) thatcomponent of the machine which generates the rotary motion, such asinput rotary motion component 102. Thus, for example, a modified versionof this device using all of the principles outlined herein can benon-rotatably fixed (205), say, to the arm of a standard power drill,with its drive shaft 201 driven by the rotational output of the drill.With, for example, an operating attachment 101 that is a buffer, andwith pass-through rotary motion component 102′ designed to accept drillattachments in the same manner that the drill itself normally acceptsthese, the drill can then be used to provide rotating buffing witheccentric oscillations. This also has application, for example, notlimitation, to milling machines and low-speed grinding machines.

FIG. 8 illustrates how a sanding or cleaning machine 7, including butnot limited to the various embodiments of the invention disclosed thusfar, is modified to enable a vacuum attachment that can be used tocollect dust and other waste matter created when sanding (and buffingand polishing), and to collect excess water or cleaning fluid (includingdirt suspended in the water or fluid) when machine 7 is used for carpetcleaning.

To introduce a vacuum attachment, rotary-motion conversion module 2 andmachine 7 are modified as follows. Machine 7 and fixed gear housing 202are modified to further comprise a machine vacuum receptacle 85, ahousing vacuum receptacle 80, and a vacuum aperture 81, all allowing airpassage therethrough. When rotary-motion conversion module 2 is matedwith machine 7 as described earlier in connection with FIGS. 7, housingvacuum receptacle 80 and machine vacuum receptacle 85 are aligned andmated along vacuum alignment line 86 so that a vacuum means (not shown)known in the art can be attached to housing vacuum receptacle 80 andmachine vacuum receptacle 85. When the vacuum means is activated, thiswill suck air through vacuum receptacle 85, housing vacuum receptacle80, and vacuum aperture 81, thus creating a vacuum within an interiorregion 87 of rotary-motion conversion module 2. Additionally, compositemotion pass-through means 210 and operating attachment 101 arerespectively modified to include a plurality of composite motionpass-through vacuum apertures 82 and operating attachment vacuumapertures 83, which are aligned with one another to provide and air flowpassage therethrough. Thus, the vacuum created in interior region 87 byattachment of a vacuum means to housing vacuum receptacle 80 and machinevacuum receptacle 85 will additionally suck up air through compositemotion pass-through vacuum apertures 82 and operating attachment vacuumapertures 83. Finally, an optional vacuum skirt 84 attached asillustrated about the circumference of fixed gear housing 202 helps toconcentrate the vacuum in a way most desirable to substantially removedust and other waste products created by sanding, polishing, andbuffing, and to substantially remove water and cleaning fluid, alongwith any dirt suspended therein, for carpet cleaning and similarapplications. These waste products are sucked into the vacuum means, andthen disposed of in any of a variety of manners well known in the art.It is understood that while these waste products are sucked “into” thevacuum means, that these may or not ultimately remain in die vacuummeans prior to disposal. Thus, for example, the vacuum means maycomprise a dirt bag as is well known in the art, which accumulates dustand dirt for subsequent disposal along with the bag. Or, for example,die vacuum means may simply be a vacuum pump that causes the dirt (orwater/fluid) to pass through the pump and be disposed of in a drum orsimilar waste receptacle, by environmentally safe runoff, or in anyother manner known in the art for disposing of waste products gatheredby means of a vacuum.

It is to be observed that while the vacuum attachment of FIG. 8 isillustrated in connection with the use of rotary-motion conversionmodule 2, that the type of vacuum attachment illustrated in FIG. 8 canbe applied to any preexisting sander, buffer, polisher, carpet cleanerand similar machine substantially as illustrated in FIG. 8, even ifrotary-motion conversion module 2 is not used. In this alternativeembodiment, machine 7 is still modified to include machine vacuumreceptacle 85, operating attachment 101 is still modified to include aplurality of operating attachment vacuum apertures 83, and bell 71serves the role of optional vacuum skirt 84 to concentrate the vacuum.All that is eliminated is rotary-motion conversion module 2, and themodifications made thereto for vacuum purposes as earlier described. Avacuum means is then attached to machine vacuum receptacle 85 as earlierdescribed. When this vacuum means is activated, a vacuum is createdwhich will again suck up air through operating attachment vacuumapertures 83. This suction will again substantially remove dust andother waste products created by sanding, polishing, and buffing, andwill substantially remove water and cleaning fluid, along with any dirtsuspended therein, for carpet cleaning and similar applications.

While the various embodiments of this invention have been illustratedusing “toothed” wheels, it is fully understood that “friction” wheelsare an obvious, equivalent substitute for these wheels, and that thissubstitution is included within the use of the terms “gear” and “wheel”as defined and utilized in this specification and its associated claims.Similarly, a wide variety of alterations and adjustments to theparticular gear interactions illustrated herein, which would be obviousto someone of ordinary skill in the mechanical arts, are encompassedwithin the scope of this disclosure and its associated claims.

Finally, while the operating attachment 101 has been described hereingenerally as a sander, buffer, polisher, or carpet cleaner, this isillustrative, not limiting, Any type of attachment that one ordinarilyattaches to a rotating machine to produce a desired effect on a workproduct such as wood, stone, marble, metal, glass, ceramic, or any othersubstance to be finished, the work effect of which can be enhanced byintroducing eccentric oscillations over the primary rotary motion, isconsidered within the scope of the invention as disclosed and claimed.Similarly, any application, whether to wood finishing, stone or marblefinishing, metal, glass or ceramic finishing, or any other substancefinishing, or cleaning, is also considered within the scope of thisdisclosure and its associated claims.

While only certain preferred features of the invention have beenillustrated and described, many modifications and changes will occur tothose skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that theappended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changesas fall within the true spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for converting an input rotarymotion of a given input frequency Ω to compound eccentric rotary motion,said input rotary motion produced by a rotary motion machine (7),comprising: non-rotating gear means (203) for affixation via a fixedgear housing (202) and housing fixing means (205) to a non-rotatingcomponent of said rotary motion machine (7); drive shaft means 201) forconnection to an input rotary motion component (102) of said rotarymotion machine (7); eccentric motion generating means (206, 206′, 206″,207, 208, 209) for generating and adding said eccentric rotary motion tosaid input rotary motion, resulting in a compound motion; pass-throughrotary motion component means (102′) for having said compound motionimparted thereto; and attachment means for attaching an operatingattachment (101) to said pass-through rotary motion component means(102′); wherein: said drive shaft means (201) is connected with saideccentric motion generating means (206, 206′, 206″, 207, 208, 209), andsaid eccentric motion generating means (206, 206′, 206″, 207, 208, 209)engages said non-rotating gear means (203), such that said given inputfrequency Ω applied to said drive shaft means (201) about a primaryrotational centerline (106) thereof causes said pass-through rotarymotion component means (102′) to rotate at the same said frequency Ωabout said primary rotational centerline (106), and also to rotatecompounded with an eccentric motion frequency ω about at least onesecondary rotational centerline (212).
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising: a conversion module receptacle (103′) of a formsubstantially equivalent to an attachment receptacle (103) of saidoperating attachment (101), affixed to said drive shaft means (201), forconnecting said drive shaft means (201) to said input rotary motioncomponent (102) of said rotary motion machine (7) by mating saidconversion module receptacle (103′) with said input rotary motioncomponent (102) in substantially the same manner that said attachmentreceptacle (103) of said operating attachment (101) is mated with saidinput rotary motion component (102) when said apparatus is not used;said pass-through rotary motion component means (102′) of a formsubstantially equivalent to said input rotary motion component (102) ofsaid rotary motion machine (7), mating with said attachment receptacle(103) of said operating attachment (101) in substantially the samemanner that said attachment receptacle (103) is mated with said inputrotary motion component (102) when said apparatus is not used.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2, further comprising: vacuum means for attachment toa machine vacuum receptacle (85) of, and allowing passage of air andwaste products through, said rotary motion machine (7); wherein:activating said vacuum means causes waste products produced by saidrotary motion machine (7) to be collected and sucked up proximate saidoperating attachment (101), through operating attachment vacuumapertures (83) passing through said operating attachment (101), throughsaid machine vacuum receptacle (85), and into said vacuum means.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein: said apparatus is a rotary motionconversion module (2) separate and distinct from said rotary motionmachine (7).
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, said apparatus resulting inthe motion of a selected point P of said operating attachment (101)located at a radial distance R from a center of said operatingattachment (101), over time t, being substantially given by:R′(t)=sqrt[R ² +r ²+2Rr cos(2π(G−1)Ωt)] and${{\sin \quad {\theta^{\prime}(t)}} = \frac{\left( {{R\quad \sin \quad 2\quad {\pi\Omega}\quad t} + {r\quad \sin \quad 2\pi \quad G\quad \Omega \quad t}} \right)}{{sqrt}\left\lbrack {R^{2} + r^{2} + {2{Rr}\quad {\cos \left( {2\quad {\pi \left( {G - 1} \right)}\Omega \quad t} \right)}}} \right\rbrack}},$

where Ω designates said input frequency of said input rotary motion,where R′(t) designates a radial distance and θ′(t) designates an angularorientation of said point P with respect to a primary rotationalcenterline (106), where G designates a gear gain ratio of said eccentricmotion generating means (206, 206′, 206″, 207, 208, 209), and where rdesignates an eccentric displacement of said eccentric motion generatingmeans (206, 206′, 206″, 207, 208, 209′.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising: vacuum means for attachment to a machine vacuumreceptacle (85) of, and allowing passage of air and waste productsthrough, said rotary motion machine (7); wherein: activating said vacuummeans causes waste products produced by said rotary motion machine (7)to be collected and sucked up proximate said operating attachment (101),through operating attachment vacuum apertures (83) passing through saidoperating attachment (101), through said machine vacuum receptacle (85),and into said vacuum means.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: lateral driving connector means (204) affixed to said driveshaft means (201) proximate said output region of said fixed gearhousing (202) and thereby also rotating at said input frequency Ω aboutsaid primary rotational centerline (106); wherein: said drive shaftmeans (201) passes through said fixed gear housing (202) from an inputregion of said fixed gear housing (202) to an output region of saidfixed gear housing (202), and by virtue of said connection to said inputrotary motion component (102), rotates at said input frequency Ω aboutsaid primary rotational centerline (106); said eccentric motiongenerating means (206, 206′, 207, 208, 209) passes through said lateraldriving connector means (204) and thereby orbits at said input frequencyΩ about said primary rotational centerline (106), and further engagessaid non-rotating gear means (203) and thereby causes said eccentricmotion generating means (206, 206′, 207, 208, 209) and secondary driveshaft means (207), eccentric motion driving bar means (208) andeccentric motion drive shaft means (209) thereof to also rotate at saideccentric motion frequency ω about said at least one secondaryrotational centerline (212); and said pass-through rotary motioncomponent means (102′) is connected to said eccentric motion drive shaftmeans (209), thereby imparting both the orbit of said eccentric motiondrive shaft means (209) at said input frequency Ω about said primaryrotational centerline (106) and the rotation of said eccentric motiondrive shaft means (209) at said eccentric motion frequency ω about saidat least one secondary rotational centerline (212), to an operatingattachment (101) attached to said pass-through rotary motion componentmeans (102′).
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: said apparatus is arotary motion conversion module (2) separate and distinct from saidrotary motion machine (7); said apparatus further comprises a conversionmodule receptacle (103′) of a form substantially equivalent to anattachment receptacle (103) of said operating attachment (101); saidhousing fixing means (205) is so-fixed to said non-rotating component ofsaid rotary motion machine (7); said drive shaft means (201) is affixedto said conversion module receptacle (103′) and is connected to saidinput rotary motion component (102) of said rotary motion machine (7) bymating said conversion module receptacle (103′) with said input rotarymotion component (102) in substantially the same manner that saidattachment receptacle (103) of said operating attachment (101) is matedwith said input rotary motion component (102) when said modular deviceis not used; said pass-through rotary motion component means (102′) isof a form substantially equivalent to said input rotary motion component(102) of said rotary motion machine (7); and said attachment receptacle(103) of said operating attachment (101) is mated with said pass-throughrotary motion component means (102′) in substantially the same mannerthat said attachment receptacle (103) is mated with said input rotarymotion component (102) when said modular device is not used.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8, further comprising: a machine vacuum receptacle(85) attached to said rotary motion machine (7) and allowing passage ofair and waste products therethrough; operating attachment vacuumapertures (83) passing through said operating attachment (101) andallowing passage of air and waste products therethrough; and a housingvacuum receptacle (80) and vacuum aperture (81) passing through saidrotary motion conversion module (2) and allowing passage of air andwaste products therethrough, said housing vacuum receptacle (80) furthersubstantially aligning and mating (86) with said machine vacuumreceptacle (85); wherein: attaching a vacuum means to said machinevacuum receptacle (85) and activating said vacuum means causes wasteproducts produced by said rotary motion machine (7) to be collected andsucked up proximate said operating attachment (101), through saidoperating attachment vacuum apertures (83), through said vacuum aperture(81) and said housing vacuum receptacle (80), through said machinevacuum receptacle (85), and into said vacuum means.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein said lateral driving connector means (204) is selectedfrom the group consisting of a driving bar, a driving cross, and adriving disk.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: said eccentricmotion generating means (206, 206′, 206″, 207, 208, 209) furthercomprises at least one outer gear means (206, 206′, 206″) affixed tosaid secondary drive shaft means (207) and engaging said non-rotatinggear means (203); and said secondary drive shaft means (207) passesthrough said lateral driving connector means (204); thereby causing saideccentric motion generating means (206, 206′, 206″, 207, 208, 209) andsaid secondary drive shaft means (207), eccentric motion driving barmeans (208) and eccentric motion drive shaft means (209) thereof toso-rotate at said eccentric motion frequency ω about said at least onesecondary rotational centerline (212).
 12. The apparatus of claim 7,wherein said eccentric motion generating means (206, 206′, 206″, 207,208, 209) further comprises at least one step up gear (601, 602, 603) toincrease said eccentric motion frequency co above what said frequency ωwould be in the absence of said at least one step up gear (601, 602,603).
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said lateral drivingconnector means (204) further comprises a plurality of parallel layersdriving a plurality of stacked outer gears (206′, 206″).
 14. Theapparatus of claim 7, further comprising composite motion pass-throughmeans (210), wherein said eccentric motion drive shaft means (209) aretapped into said composite motion pass-through means (210) to allow freerotational movement of said eccentric motion drive shaft means (209)within said composite motion pass-through means (210); and saidpass-through rotary motion component means (102′) is affixed to saidcomposite motion pass-through means (210); thereby so-imparting motioncomprising both sand input frequency Ω about said primary rotationalcenterline (106) and said eccentric motion frequency ω about said atleast one secondary rotational centerline (212), to said operatingattachment (101).
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: amachine vacuum receptacle (85) attached to said rotary motion machine(7) and allowing passage of air and waste products therethrough;operating attachment vacuum apertures (83) passing through saidoperating attachment (101) and allowing passage of air and wasteproducts therethrough; a housing vacuum receptacle (80) and vacuumaperture (81) passing through said rotary motion conversion module (2)and allowing passage of air and waste products therethrough, saidhousing vacuum receptacle (80) further substantially aligning and mating(86) with said machine vacuum receptacle (85); and composite motionpass-through vacuum apertures (82) passing through said composite motionpass-through means (210) and allowing passage of air and waste productstherethrough, said composite motion pass-through vacuum apertures (82)further substantially aligning (87) with said operating attachmentvacuum apertures (83); wherein: attaching a vacuum means to said machinevacuum receptacle (85) and activating said vacuum means causes wasteproducts produced by said rotary motion machine (7) to be collected andsucked up proximate said operating attachment (101), through saidoperating attachment vacuum apertures (83), through said compositemotion pass-through vacuum apertures (82), through said vacuum aperture(81) and said housing vacuum receptacle (80), through said machinevacuum receptacle (85), and into said vacuum means.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the motion of a selected point P of said operatingattachment (101) located at a radial distance R from a center of saidoperating attachment (101), over time t, is substantially given by:R′(t)=sqrt[R ² +r ²+2Rr cos(2π(G−1)Ωt)] and${{\sin \quad {\theta^{\prime}(t)}} = \frac{\left( {{R\quad \sin \quad 2\quad {\pi\Omega}\quad t} + {r\quad \sin \quad 2\pi \quad G\quad \Omega \quad t}} \right)}{{sqrt}\left\lbrack {R^{2} + r^{2} + {2{Rr}\quad {\cos \left( {2\quad {\pi \left( {G - 1} \right)}\Omega \quad t} \right)}}} \right\rbrack}},$

where R′(t) designates a radial distance and θ′(t) designates an angularorientation of said point P with respect to said primary rotationalcenterline (106), where G designates a gear gain ratio of said eccentricmotion generating means (206, 206′, 206″, 207, 208, 209), and where rdesignates eccentric displacements introduced by said eccentric motiondriving bar means (208).
 17. The apparatus of claim 7, furthercomprising: a machine vacuum receptacle (85) attached to said rotarymotion machine (7) and allowing passage of air and waste productstherethrough; and operating attachment vacuum apertures (83) passingthrough said operating attachment (101) and allowing passage of air andwaste products therethrough; wherein: attaching a vacuum means to saidmachine vacuum receptacle (85) and activating said vacuum means causesHaste products produced by said rotary motion machine (7) to becollected and sucked up proximate said operating attachment (101),through said operating attachment vacuum apertures (83), through saidmachine vacuum receptacle (85), and into said vacuum means.
 18. A methodfor converting an input rotary motion of a given input frequency Ω tocompound eccentric rotary motion, said input rotary motion produced by arotary motion machine (7), comprising the steps of: affixingnon-rotating gear means (203) via a fixed gear housing (202) and housingfixing means (205) to a non-rotating component of said rotary motionmachine (7); connecting drive shaft means (201) to an input rotarymotion component (102) of said rotary motion machine (7); generating andadding said eccentric rotary motion to said input rotary motion, usingeccentric motion generating means (206, 206′, 206″, 207, 208, 209),resulting in a compound motion; imparting said compound motion topass-through rotary motion component means (102′); attaching anoperating attachment (101) to said pass-through rotary motion componentmeans (102′); and connecting said drive shaft means (201) with saideccentric motion generating means (206, 206′, 206″, 207, 208, 209), andengaging said eccentric motion generating means (206, 206′, 206″, 207,208, 209) with said non-rotating gear means (203), such that said giveninput frequency Ω applied to said drive shaft means (201) about aprimary rotational centerline (106) thereof causes said pass-throughrotary motion component means (102′) to rotate at the same saidfrequency Ω about said primary rotational centerline (106), and also torotate compounded with an eccentric motion frequency ω about at leastone secondary rotational centerline (212).
 19. The method of claim 18,said step of connecting said drive shaft means (201) to said inputrotary motion component (102) of said rotary motion machine (7) furthercomprising the steps of: affixing said drive shaft means (201) to aconversion module receptacle (103′) of a form substantially equivalentto an attachment receptacle (103) of said operating attachment (101);and connecting said drive shaft means (201) to said input rotary motioncomponent (102) of said rotary motion machine (7) by mating saidconversion module receptacle (103′) with said input rotary motioncomponent (102) in substantially the same manner that said attachmentreceptacle (103) of said operating attachment (101) is mated with saidinput rotary motion component (102) when said method is not used; saidstep of attaching an operating attachment (101) to said pass-throughrotary motion component means (102′) further comprising the step of:mating said attachment receptacle (103) of said operating attachment(101) with said pass-through rotary motion component means (102′) insubstantially the same manner that said attachment receptacle (103) ismated with said input rotary motion component (102) when said method isnot used, wherein said pass-through rotary motion component means (102′)is of a form substantially equivalent to said input rotary motioncomponent (102) of said rotary motion machine (7).
 20. The method ofclaim 19, further comprising the steps of: attaching a vacuum means to amachine vacuum receptacle (85) of, and allowing passage of air and wasteproducts through, said rotary motion machine (7); and activating saidvacuum means, thereby causing waste products produced by said rotarymotion machine (7) to be collected and sucked up proximate saidoperating attachment (101), through operating attachment vacuumapertures (83) passing through said operating attachment (101), throughsaid machine vacuum receptacle (85), and into said vacuum means.
 21. Themethod of claim 19, further comprising the step of: affixing a rotarymotion conversion module (2) separate and distinct from said rotarymotion machine (7) to said rotary motion machine (7), said rotary motionconversion module (2) comprising: said non-rotating gear means (203),said fixed gear housing (202), said housing fixing means (205), saiddrive shaft means (201), said eccentric motion generating means (206,206′, 206″, 207, 208, 209) and said pass-through rotary motion componentmeans (102′).
 22. The method of claim 18, said method resulting in themotion of a selected point P of said operating attachment (101) locatedat a radial distance R from a center of said operating attachment (101),over time t, being substantially given by: R′(t)=sqrt[R ² +r ²+2Rrcos(2π(G−1)Ωt)] and${{\sin \quad {\theta^{\prime}(t)}} = \frac{\left( {{R\quad \sin \quad 2\quad {\pi\Omega}\quad t} + {r\quad \sin \quad 2\pi \quad G\quad \Omega \quad t}} \right)}{{sqrt}\left\lbrack {R^{2} + r^{2} + {2{Rr}\quad {\cos \left( {2\quad {\pi \left( {G - 1} \right)}\Omega \quad t} \right)}}} \right\rbrack}},$

where ω designates said input frequency of said input rotary motion,where R′(t) designates a radial distance and θ(t) designates an angularorientation of said point P with respect to a primary rotationalcenterline (106), where G designates a gear gain ratio of said eccentricmotion generating means (206, 206′, 206″, 207, 208, 209), and where rdesignates an eccentric displacement of said eccentric motion generatingmeans (206, 206′, 206″, 207, 208, 209).
 23. The method of claims 18,further comprising the steps of: attaching a vacuum means to a machinevacuum receptacle (85) of, and allowing passage of air and wasteproducts through, said rotary motion machine (7); and activating saidvacuum means, thereby causing waste products produced by said rotarymotion machine (7) to be collected and sucked up proximate saidoperating attachment (101), through operating attachment vacuumapertures (83) passing through said operating attachment (101), throughsaid machine vacuum receptacle (85), and into said vacuum means.
 24. Themethod of claim 18, said step of generating and adding said eccentricrotary motion to said input rotary motion comprising the further stepsof: passing said drive shaft means (201) through said fixed gear housing(202) from an input region of said fixed gear housing (202) to an outputregion of said fixed gear housing (202), and by virtue of saidconnection to said input rotary motion component (102), rotating saiddrive shaft means (201) at said input frequency Ω about said primaryrotational centerline (106); affixing lateral driving connector means(204) to said drive shaft means (201) proximate said output region ofsaid fixed gear housing (202) and thereby also rotating said lateraldriving connector means (204) at said input frequency Ω about saidprimary rotational centerline (106); passing said eccentric motiongenerating means (206, 206′, 206″, 207, 208, 209) through said lateraldriving connector means (204) and thereby orbiting said eccentric motiongenerating means (206, 206′, 206″, 207, 208, 209) at said inputfrequency Ω about said primary rotational centerline (106); and furtherengaging said eccentric motion generating means (206, 206′, 206″, 207,208, 209) with said non-rotating gear means (203) and thereby causingsaid eccentric motion generating means (206, 206′, 206″, 207, 208, 209)and secondary drive shaft means (207), eccentric motion driving barmeans (208) and eccentric motion drive shaft means (209) thereof to alsorotate at said eccentric motion frequency ω about said at least onesecondary rotational centerline (212); said step of imparting saidcompound motion to pass-through rotary motion component means (102′)comprising the further step of: connecting pass-through rotary motioncomponent means (102′) to said eccentric motion drive shaft means (209),thereby imparting both the orbit of said eccentric motion drive shaftmeans (209) at said input frequency Ω about said primary rotationalcenterline (106) and the rotation of said eccentric motion drive shaftmeans (209) at said eccentric motion frequency Ω about said at least onesecondary rotational centerline (212), to said pass-through rotarymotion component means (102′).
 25. The method of claim 21, wherein arotary motion conversion module separate and distinct from said rotarymotion machine (7) comprises said non-rotating gear means (203), fixedgear housing (202), housing fixing means (205), drive shaft means (201),lateral driving connector means (204), eccentric motion generating means(206, 206′, 206″, 207, 208, 209) and pass-through rotary motioncomponent means (102′), comprising the further steps of: so-fixing saidhousing fixing means (205) to said non-rotating component of said rotarymotion machine (7); affixing said drive shaft means (201) to aconversion module receptacle (103′) of a form substantially equivalentto an attachment receptacle (103) of said operating attachment (101);connecting said drive shaft means (201) to said input rotary motioncomponent (102) of said rotary motion machine (7) by mating saidconversion module receptacle (103′) with said input rotary motioncomponent (102) in substantially the same manner that said attachmentreceptacle (103) of said operating attachment (101) is mated with saidinput rotary motion component (102) when said modular device is notused; mating said attachment receptacle (103) of said operatingattachment (101) with said pass-through rotary motion component means(102′) in substantially the same manner that said attachment receptacle(103) is mated with said input rotary motion component (102) when saidmodular device is not used, wherein said pass-through rotary motioncomponent means 102′ is motion component (102) of said rotary motionmachine (7) by mating said conversion module receptacle (103′) with saidinput rotary motion component (102) in substantially the same mannerthat said attachment receptacle (103) of said operating attachment (101)is mated with said input rotary motion component (102) when said modulardevice is not used; mating said attachment receptacle (103) of saidoperating attachment (101) with said pass-through rotary motioncomponent means (102′) in substantially the same manner that saidattachment receptacle (103) is mated with said input rotary motioncomponent (102) when said modular device is not used, wherein saidpass-through rotary motion component means (102′) is of a formsubstantially equivalent to said input rotary motion component (102) ofsaid rotary motion machine (7).
 26. The method of claim 25, furthercomprising the steps of: attaching a vacuum means to a machine vacuumreceptacle (85) of, and allowing passage of air and waste productsthrough, said rotary motion machine (7); and activating said vacuummeans, thereby causing waste products produced by said rotary motionmachine (7) to be collected and sucked up proximate said operatingattachment (101), through operating attachment vacuum apertures (83)passing through said operating attachment (101), through a vacuumaperture (81) and a housing vacuum receptacle (80) passing through saidrotary motion conversion module (2), through said machine vacuumreceptacle (85), and into said vacuum means; said housing vacuumreceptacle (80) substantially aligning and mating (86) with said machinevacuum receptacle (85).
 27. The method of claim 21, wherein said lateraldriving connector means (204) is selected from the group consisting of adriving bar, a driving cross, and a driving disk.
 28. The method ofclaim 21, said eccentric motion generating means (206, 206′, 206″, 207,208, 209) further comprising at least one outer gear means (206, 206′,206″) affixed to said secondary drive shaft means (207), comprising thefurther steps of: engaging said outer gear means (206, 206′, 206″) withsaid non-rotating gear means (203); passing said secondary drive shaftmeans (207) through said lateral driving connector means (204); andthereby causing said eccentric motion generating means (206, 206′, 206″,207, 208, 209) and said secondary drive shaft means (207), eccentricmotion driving bar means (208) and eccentric motion drive shaft means(209) thereof to so-rotate at said eccentric motion frequency ω aboutsaid at least one secondary rotational centerline (212).
 29. The methodof claim 21, said eccentric motion generating means (206, 206′, 206″,207, 208, 209) further comprising at least one step up gear (601, 602,603), comprising the further step of increasing said eccentric motionfrequency ω using said at least one step up gear (601, 602, 603), toabove what said frequency ω would be in the absence of said at least onestep up gear (601, 602, 603).
 30. The method of claim 29, said lateraldriving connector means (204) further comprising a plurality of parallellayers, comprising the further step of driving a plurality of stackedouter gears (206′, 206″) using said lateral driving connector means(204).
 31. The method of claim 21, further comprising the steps of:tapping said eccentric motion drive shaft means (209) into compositemotion pass-through means (210) thereby allowing free rotationalmovement of said eccentric motion drive shaft means (209) within saidcomposite motion pass-through means (210); and affixing saidpass-through rotary motion component means (102′) to said compositemotion pass-through means (210); thereby so-imparting motion comprisingboth said input frequency Ω about said primary rotational centerline(106) and said eccentric motion frequency ω about said at least onesecondary rotational centerline (212), to said operating attachment(101).
 32. The method of claim 31, further comprising: a machine vacuumreceptacle (85) attached to said rotary motion machine (7) and allowingpassage of air and waste products therethrough; operating attachmentvacuum apertures (83) passing through said operating attachment (101)and allowing passage of air and waste products therethrough; a housingvacuum receptacle (80) and vacuum aperture (81) passing through saidrotary motion conversion module (2) and allowing passage of air andwaste products therethrough, said housing vacuum receptacle (80) furthersubstantially aligning and mating (86) with said machine vacuumreceptacle (85); and composite motion pass-through vacuum apertures (82)passing through said composite motion pass-through means (210) andallowing passage of air and waste products therethrough, said compositemotion pass-through vacuum apertures (82) further substantially aligning(87) with said operating attachment vacuum apertures (83); wherein:attaching a vacuum means to said machine vacuum receptacle (85) of, andallowing passage of air and waste products through, said rotary motionmachine (7); and activating said vacuum means, thereby causing wasteproducts produced by said rotary motion machine (7) to be collected andsucked up proximate said operating attachment (101), through operatingattachment vacuum apertures (83) passing through said operatingattachment (101), through composite motion pass-through vacuum apertures(82) passing through said composite motion pass-through means (210),through a vacuum aperture (81) and a housing vacuum receptacle (80)passing through said rotary motion conversion module (2), through saidmachine vacuum receptacle (85), and into said vacuum means; said housingvacuum receptacle (80) substantially aligning and mating (86) with saidmachine vacuum receptacle (85); and said composite motion pass-throughvacuum apertures (82) further substantially aligning (87) with saidoperating attachment vacuum apertures (83).
 33. The method of claim 21,said method resulting in the motion of a selected point P of saidoperating attachment (101) located at a radial distance R from a centerof said operating attachment (101), over time t, being substantiallygiven by: R(t)=sqrt[R ² +r ²+2Rr cos(2π(G−1)Ωt)] and${{\sin \quad {\theta^{\prime}(t)}} = \frac{\left( {{R\quad \sin \quad 2\quad {\pi\Omega}\quad t} + {r\quad \sin \quad 2\pi \quad G\quad \Omega \quad t}} \right)}{{sqrt}\left\lbrack {R^{2} + r^{2} + {2{Rr}\quad {\cos \left( {2\quad {\pi \left( {G - 1} \right)}\Omega \quad t} \right)}}} \right\rbrack}},$

where R′(t) designates a radial distance and θ′(t) designates an angularorientation of said point P with respect to said primary rotationalcenterline (106), where G designates a gear gain ratio of said eccentricmotion generating means (206, 206′, 206″, 207, 208, 209), and where rdesignates eccentric displacements introduced by said eccentric motiondriving bar means (208).
 34. The method of claim 21, further comprisingthe steps of: attaching a vacuum means to a machine vacuum receptacle(85) of, and allowing passage of air and waste products through, saidrotary motion machine (7); and activating said vacuum means, therebycausing waste products produced by said rotary motion machine (7) to becollected and sucked up proximate said operating attachment (101),through operating attachment vacuum apertures (83) passing through saidoperating attachment (101), through said machine vacuum receptacle (85),and into said vacuum means.
 35. An apparatus for collecting wasteproducts produced by a rotary motion machine (7), comprising: a housingvacuum receptacle (80); operating attachment vacuum apertures (83)passing through an operating attachment (101) attached to said apparatusa conversion module receptacle (103′) of a form substantially equivalentto an attachment receptacle (103) of said operating attachment (101);and pass-through rotary motion component means (102′) of a formsubstantially equivalent to an input rotary motion component (102) ofsaid rotary motion machine (7); wherein: said apparatus is a module (2)separate and distinct from said rotary motion machine (7); saidattachment receptacle (103) is mated with said pass-through rotarymotion component means (102′) in substantially the same manner that saidattachment receptacle (103) is mated with said input rotary motioncomponent (102) when said module (2) is not used; and attaching a vacuummeans for affecting a vacuum through said housing vacuum receptacle (80)and activating said vacuum means causes waste products produced by saidrotary motion machine (7) to be collected and sucked up proximate saidoperating attachment (101), through said operating attachment vacuumapertures (83), through said housing vacuum receptacle (80) and intosaid vacuum means.
 36. A method for collecting waste products producedby a rotary motion machine (7), comprising the steps of: attaching amodule (2) separate and distinct from said rotary motion machine (7) tosaid rotary motion machine (7); mating a conversion module receptacle(103′) of said module (2), of a form substantially equivalent to anattachment receptacle (103) of an operating attachment (101), with aninput rotary motion component (102) of said rotary motion machine (7);mating an attachment receptacle (103) of said operating attachment (101)with a pass-through rotary motion component means (102′) of said module(2) in substantially the same manner that said attachment receptacle(103) is mated with said input rotary motion component (102) when saidmodule (2) is not used, wherein said pass-through rotary motioncomponent means (102′) is of a form substantially equivalent to saidinput rotary motion component (102); affecting a vacuum through a vacuumhousing receptacle (80) of said module (2), using vacuum means therefor;and activating said vacuum means, thereby causing waste productsproduced by said rotary motion machine (7) to be collected and sucked upproximate said operating attachment (101), through operating attachmentvacuum apertures (83) passing through said operating attachment (101)through said housing vacuum receptacle (80), and into said vacuum means.